Rob and Char Brenneman and Family from Washington County Named Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award Winners

Award to be presented May 4 at the Brenneman’s farm in rural Washington

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that Rob and Char Brenneman and family have been named the winners of the Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award. The Brenneman family runs a swine and grain operation in Washington County.

Naig will present the award to the family on Friday, May 4.  The ceremony will be at the Brenneman’s farm, 2012 155th St., Washington.  The “Big Show,” which airs on both WHO and WMT radio, will broadcast live from the presentation from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

“The Brenneman’s are real leaders in animal care, environmental protection and community involvement and it is an honor to present them with the Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award. It is important we recognize and highlight livestock farms like the Brenneman’s who contribute so much to our state and rural communities,” Naig said.

Brenneman Pork, Inc is a fully integrated, family run swine and grain farm. In addition to Rob and Char, their children Tim and Erin Brenneman, Amy and Kyle Ihrig, Cari and Nate Strabala, and Jenna and Tyler Grout are involved in their operation.

The family was nominated for the award by Kurt and Heather Hora, who are past Good Farm Neighbor Award winners and who also farm in Washington County.

The family’s focus is on raising quality pork in an efficient, humane, and environmentally responsible manner. They are also very involved in the community and regularly host visitors, including students from local elementary schools.

In their nomination, the Hora’s stated, “Rob and Char and the whole Brenneman family are leaders in the community. They are always supporting community events and going out of their way to make sure that there is a positive face put on agriculture.”

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award, made possible through the financial support of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers, recognizes Iowa livestock farmers who take pride in doing things right. This includes caring for the environment and their livestock and being good neighbors. It is named in memory of Gary Wergin, a long-time WHO Radio farm broadcaster who helped create the award.

Anyone interested in nominating their neighbor for the award should write a letter or e-mail explaining why their neighbor should receive this designation.  Applications may be submitted to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Attn: Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award, Henry A. Wallace Building, Des Moines, IA 50319 or emailed to Communications@iowaAgriculture.gov.